Welcome to Waateas election coverage of the results for the 2025 Local Government Elections. Keep up to date here with our live coverage. Waatea is tracking very low voter turnout, on average across the country. Results for most may not be known for a few days as well as results for Maori waed referendums. What are starting to see:

Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)

In a decisive outcome in Wellington’s 2025 mayoral race, Andrew Little was elected mayor on 11 October, securing 56.88% of the vote, defeating independent candidate Karl Tiefenbacher (14.63%) and Ray Chung (11.35%). Meanwhile  Tori Whanau had missed out on council re-election in the Te Whanganui a Tara Māori Ward seat. She was defeated there by Matthew Reweti.

Tamaki Makaurau

In the 2025 Auckland mayoral election, Wayne Brown secured a decisive win to serve another three‑year term as mayor of the “Super City.”

Lower Hutt (Hutt City)

In the 2025 Lower Hutt mayoral election, Waateas own Ken Laban has been elected mayor, succeeding incumbent Campbell Barry who chose not to run for re‑election.

Rotorua

At the close of the 2025 local elections, Tania Tapsell was re‑elected as Mayor of Rotorua, winning by a decisive margin over her nearest rival.

Ward results from Wellington City Council

Progress results for Wellington City Council wards:

Takapū/Northern 

On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Takapū/Northern Ward are:

• Ben McNulty

• Tony Randle

• Andrea Compton

Wharangi/Onslow-Western  

On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward are:

• Diane Calvert

• Rebecca Matthews

• Ray Chung  

Pukehīnau/Lambton  

On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward are:

• Geordie Rogers

• Nicola Young 

• Afnan Al-Rubayee

Motukairangi/Eastern  

On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Motukairangi/Eastern Ward are:

• Karl Tiefenbacher

• Sam O’Brien

• Jonny Osborne 

Paekawakawa/Southern

On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Paekawakawa/Southern Ward are:

• Nureddin Abdurahman

• Laurie Foon

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward

 On the basis of the progress result, the candidate elected as councillor is:

• Matthew Reweti

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward binding poll

On the basis of the progress result, Wellingtonians have voted to retain the Māori Ward from 2028. The outcome of the poll will bind the Council for the 2028 and 2031 elections.

Tawa Community Board

 On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as Tawa Community Board members are:

• Jill Day

• Tim Davin

• Miriam Moore

• Michael Hill

• Carla Bates

• Rob Suisted

Mākara-Ōhāriu Community Board

The Mākara/Ōhāriu Community Board received four nominations for its six positions, meaning the following people have been elected unopposed:

• Darren Hoskins

• Chris Renner

• Wayne Rudd

• Hamish Todd

Waikato Regional Council results roll in

Preliminary vote counts are in for the 2025 local government elections, with three new members elected to Waikato Regional Council and seven on the Rates Control ticket.

While the vast majority of votes have been counted, special votes and voting papers delivered this morning to the offices of the 11 constituent territorial authorities in the Waikato Regional Council area are yet to be included in these results.

Two councillors had been re-elected unopposed, both in the Māori constituencies established for the elections in 2013: Kataraina Hodge for Ngā Tai ki Uta, and Tipa Mahuta for Ngā Hau e Whā.Official results are expected to be available at waikatoregion.govt.nz/election-results between 16 and 19 October.

The first official meeting of the new council will be on Wednesday, 29 October, when a chair and deputy chair will be selected by councillors.

Waikato Regional Council Chief Executive Chris McLay said: “There are some real challenges ahead for this council to navigate, including the impacts of legislative reform as well as cost-of-living pressures.

“Our council will be working with our partners, stakeholders and communities to address these challenges and optimise the opportunities to make the Waikato region even better,” he said.

Mr McLay acknowledged Pamela Storey, two-term councillor and chair for the 2022-25 triennium, who has not been re-elected based on preliminary voting counts.

“Pamela has led the council through a time of significant central government reform and worked hard for the region.”

Mr McLay also acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Chair Bruce Clarkson and Councillor Clyde Graf, who were unsuccessful in their bids for re-election.

Waikato Regional Council councillors (preliminary results)

Hamilton general constituency (4 vacancies)

 Ngā Tai Ki Uta Māori constituency (1 vacancy)

Ngā Hau E Whā Māori constituency (1 vacancy)

 Taupō-Rotorua general constituency (1 vacancy)

Thames-Coromandel general constituency (1 vacancy)

Waihou general constituency (2 vacancies)

 Waikato general constituency (2 vacancies)

Waipā-King Country general constituency (2 vacancies)

Taupo results roll in

Progress results for Taupō District Council elections

Progress results for the 2025 Taupō District Council elections show John Funnell has been elected as the new mayor of Taupō District, with a progress result of 4575 votes.

He was followed by Zane Cozens with 3461 votes, David Trewavas with 2400 votes and Kevin Taylor with 2270 votes.

The progress results are based on approximately 85 percent of returned votes. It does not include some special votes and the votes returned today as they are still in transit to the processing centre. The outcome of the elections may change once all votes have been counted.

The seven successful candidates for the Taupō ward are:

Christine Rankin

Kevin Taylor

Rachel Shepherd

Yvonne Westerman

Duncan Campbell

Nicola De Lautour

Barry Delany

The successful candidate for the Tūrangi-Tongariro ward is Sandra Greenslade.

In the Te Papamārearea Māori ward, Wahine Murch is the leading candidate but only 15 votes separate Ngāhuia Foreman (née Asher) and Danny Loughlin for the second seat in this ward.

Kylie Leonard was elected in the Taupō East Rural ward.

Marlene Johnson presently leads Hope Woodward by 10 votes in the Mangakino-Pouākani ward.

In the Māori Ward poll, there were 7486 votes in favour of removing the Māori ward, against 4742 in favour of keeping it.

Some 12,830 votes have so far been cast, excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes. This is a voter return of 45.39 percent to date.

Wayne Brown speaks to Media

Mayor-Elect Wayne Brown Thanks Auckland, Announces Desley Simpson as Deputy Mayor to Forge a United Council

Following the provisional declaration of results, Mayor-elect Wayne Brown today expressed his profound gratitude to the people of Auckland for their decisive support and for giving him a clear mandate to “Fix Auckland.”

“The voters have spoken, and their message is clear: it’s time to get back to work and deliver more results.”

“I am truly humbled by the trust Aucklanders have placed in me,” said Mayor-elect Brown. “This was a campaign about common sense, fiscal prudence, and a relentless focus on the issues that matter to everyone who calls this city home.

In a significant move signalling his intent for stability and experience at the leadership table, Brown confirmed his choice of Councillor Desley Simpson as his Deputy Mayor.

“I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Councillor Desley Simpson on being elected unopposed in the Ōrākei Ward. Her unopposed re-election is a powerful testament to her deep commitment to her community and effectiveness as a local representative,” Brown stated.

“Her experience, broad skill set and hard work at council are widely admired.”

Councillor Simpson said “Together, we will continue to be a strong, united team working across the Council table, focused on the task ahead.”

“Mayor Brown’s leadership was transformational in the last term. I look forward to our work in the next three years as we embed that change, and deliver better performance for Auckland.”

The Mayor-elect acknowledged the robust campaigns fought across the city’s wards, congratulating those who will be joining him around the council table.

“My congratulations go out to all the successful ward candidates who put in the hard yards and earned the support of their communities. I look forward to working constructively with every single councillor, both new and returning, to deliver for Auckland.”

Weatern Bay of Plenty Results in

James Denyer has been re-elected as Western Bay’s Mayor.

Following the close of voting at midday today, 85 per cent of votes have now been counted. Progress results show James Denyer (3699 votes) ahead of Margaret Murray-Benge (2256 votes) and Rodney Joyce (1585 votes). 

Council candidates currently elected (progress results):

This election is the first under Western Bay’s new representation arrangements. The new structure includes a Mayor, nine Councillors across four wards, including for the first time a Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward Councillor.

It also sees Council’s five Community Boards cover the entire District through the introduction of Community Board subdivisions in the Ōmokoroa-Kaimai and Te Puke-Eastern Community Board areas.

The five Community Boards are:

• Waihī Beach Community Board – four elected members and one appointed Councillor from the Katikati–Waihī Beach Ward
• Katikati Community Board – four elected members and one appointed Councillor from the Katikati–Waihī Beach Ward
• Ōmokoroa-Kaimai Community Board – two elected members from the Ōmokoroa Subdivision, two from Kaimai West, two from Kaimai East, and two appointed Councillors from the Kaimai Ward
• Te Puke-Eastern Community Board – three elected members from the Te Puke Subdivision, two from the Eastern Subdivision, and two appointed Councillors from the Maketu–Te Puke Ward
• Maketu Community Board – four elected members and one appointed Councillor from the Maketu-Te Puke Ward

In total, 55 candidates contested the 33 seats across Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members.

 Māori Ward Forum

Alongside the Council elections, voting also took place on the Māori Ward referendum.

Progress results have 7080 votes to remove the Māori Ward after the 2025-2028 triennium versus 4793 votes to keep the Māori Ward.

Kaipara votes roll in

 The progress results for Kaipara District Council’s local elections are now available. Progress results represent approximately 90% of ordinary votes and exclude hand delivered votes received on the Saturday morning and special votes. Results may change between the progress stage and the final count.

Preliminary results will be available mid to late afternoon tomorrow, Sunday 12 October. Preliminary results include all ordinary votes received but still exclude special votes. These results are also subject to change before the final declaration.

Public declaration of the final results will be published on our website on Friday 17 October 2025 after special votes have been validated by the Electoral Commission.

Progress results for Kaipara District Council elections on Saturday 11 October are:

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